Folding paper box



Nov. 1,1938. A CORMlER 2,134,860

FOLDING PAPER BOX Filed Jan. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l `.fric/erlie Huff/lul' Cormier 17H0 rnej/f.

.7 www, 'Wazmwn Nov. 1, 1938.

A. CORMIER FOLDING PAPER BOX Filed Jan. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PW Dm M-wiu E; mwa

ATTORNEYS Patented Nev. 1, 193s UNI-TED STATES i PATENTv OFFICE Application January z3, A19.2.5, serial No. 3,160 In Canada. August 3, 1934 claims. l (el. 22a-2e) 'I'his invention relates to folding boxes or cartons and has for an object the provision of an improved folding box or carton having a plurality l ot compartments. The invention relates particularly to the manufacture of folding boxes of the class generally employed in packaging and shipping quantities of eggs and other fragile objects.

.Heretofora it has been customary to manufacture boxes of 0the classto which the invention l0 relates by providing a body member adapted to form the longitudinal walls of the box and having a plurality of slots for the reception of ytransverse partition members. 'I'he relationship between the body members and the transverse partition mem- 1I bers in boxes as heretofore constructed generally has been such that the lower half of the transverse partition members protruded-beyond the side and bottom walls of the box as dened by the body member, and the upper half of the partition members have been-disposed entirely withm the side walls of the box. As a result of this construction, it Has been possible to substitute eggs or other objects of inferior quality for those originally sealed Within the box by merely withdrawing the partition members' from their position within the slots of the body member. To overcome this disadvantage, it has been proposed to provide the partition members with lips or lugs adapted to engage the body member and thereby hold the partition members in place. This expedient, however, has been unsatisfactory, for it has not been effective in preventing the withdrawal of the partition members after assembly of the box and sealing of the cover; it has simply affected the degree of force required to withdraw the partition member.

Furthermore, folding boxes of the heretofore customary type have been difficult to assemble. In the folded position, the transverse partition members of such a box have been positioned within the folded side walls of the box, and, to assemble the box for use, it has been necessary first to extend the body member by partially unfolding the side walls and then to insert each of the partition members individually into the slots intended to receive them in the side Walls In accordance with the present invention, an improved box is provided in which the foregoing disadvantages are avoided and in which advantages not heretofore attainable `are secured. Briefly, boxes constructed in accordance' with the invention comprise a body member folded to provide longitudinal side walls, bottom walls, cover q erably three such sets, each slot of each set being aligned with a corresponding slot of each other set. Transverse partition members are inserted in each row of aligned slots, and thereafter the` relative alignment of one set of slots is altered with respect to the other sets of slots to lock the partition members in their proper positions. As a result, the partition members are firmly held in place, and to remove them after the box has been filled and the cover sealed is impossible Without actually tearing or breaking the partition members. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of the partition members Within the slots of the body member is such that the outer edge portions of each partition member extends for substantially its entire width beyond the outer surfaces of the side walls as defined by the body member. The upper and lower edges of the partition members lie 'within the bottom and cover walls of the box. By virtue of this. arrangement -of body member and partition members it is poslongitudinally with respect to a corresponding slot of each other set, and the blank is scored to define a series of substantially parallel longitudinal folding lines. One such folding line follows substantially the center line of the center set of slots. Folding lines are also provided adjacent the outer ends of the center set of slots and additional folding lines are provided adjacent the inner ends of each of the outer sets of slots. In assembling the box, the blank is folded downwardly substantially'through 180 along the center folding line and upwardly through substantially 180 along'the folding lines 'adjacent the outer ends of the center set of slots. In this position the alignment of each row of slots is such that the partition members may be inserted without` distortion and with a minimum of effort. After insertion of the partition members, the center portion of the body member is forced upwardly by partially unfolding it along the folding lines adjacent the outer end portion of the center set of slots and correspondingly folding it along the folding lines adjacent the inner ends of the outer sets of slots. During this operation the relative alignment of the center set of slots with respect to the outer sets of slots is altered and the center partition wall of the body member is introduced into rm engagement with the partition members, effectively preventing their removal.

'Ihe partition members are provided with lugs adjacent the upper and lower ends of their side edge portions, and with recesses or openend slots extending inwardly from their top and bottom edges substantially along the center line of the member. The lugs serve to prevent the partition members from slipping from their position within the slots provided in the side walls of the body member, and they serve also to prevent unfolding of the side walls, when the box is opened for use from its folded position, to such an extent that the partition members would be dislodged from their position within the slots. The inwardly extending recesses provide means for engagement of the partition members with the center partition wall of the body member of the box. The upper portions of the side walls of the box are folded inwardly along folding lines adjacent the' outer ends of the outer sets of slots to vprovide a cover for the box.

The invention will bebetter understood from a consideration ofthe following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan of a fragment of a body member of a box embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the fragment of the body member after folding to permit insertion of the partition members, showing the partition members in their folded positions;

Fig. 3 is an elevation similar to Fig. 2 but showing the body member after the relative alignment of the slots has been altered to lock the partition members in position;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the assembled box in its folded position; l

Fig. 5 is an end view of the folded box shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the box unfolded for use and with the cover closed;

Fig. 7 is an end view showing the box after insertion of the partition members but before they have been locked in position;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a transverse partition member of preferred design;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the box ready for use;

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the box at the same stage of assembly as shown in Fig..2, but with the transverse partition members not in their folded positions; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective similar to Fig. 10 butv showing the box at the same stage of assembly as shown in Fig. 3.

'I'he body member I0 (Fig. 1) of the box is generally rectangular in shape and is stamped or otherwise formed from a sheet of paper board or other suitable material. Preferably it is provided with a center set of slots II and with outer or flanking sets of Islots I2 and Il.. Each slot is 1ongitudinally disposed across the width of the body member and is in substantially longitudinal alignment with a corresponding slot inesch of the othervsets of slots. The slotsvk of the outer or flanking sets I2 and Il are simply elongated openings of substantially rectangular shape, of a width slightly greater than the thickness of the partitions and of a length substantially equal to or slightly less uml the width or depth of the outer end portions of the partition members. The slots I I of the center set are similar in shape to thoseY of the outer sets but are partially closed by inwardly extending lugs Il adjacent their midportions.

The body member I0 is scored for folding longitudinally along a folding line I5 passing substantially along the center line of the center set of slots II. Scores are provided adjacent the outer ends of the center set of slots to define folding lines IG and I1, and similar scores defining folding lines I8 and 20 are provided adjacent the inner ends of the outer sets of slots. By folding the body member downwardly along the folding line I5 and upwardly along the folding lines Ii, I1, I8 and 2li, the body member will assume a position defining side walls, bottom walls and a center partition wall. Scores passing through the outer sets of slots define folding lines 2i and 22 along which the body member may be bent upwardly to cause it to assume a somewhat fuller configuration than it would otherwise have. Scores adjacent the outer ends of the outer sets of slots and scores adjacent the edges of the body member blank define folding lines 23, 2l, 25 and 26 along which the body member may be folded to provide cover walls for the box. The body member as described above may be cut to the proper size and shape, the slots may be lformed in it, and the scores marked upon it by machine in a single operation.

The transverse partition members 21 (Pig. 8) are generally rectangular in shape. At opposite ends of each side edge of the partition member lugs 28, Il, II and l2 are provided for engagement with the outer surfaces of the side walls of the box after it has been assembled to retain the partition members in their proper position with respect to the body members. Recesses or slots 33 and Il extending inwardly from the bottom and top edges, respectively, of the partition member are provided forv engagement with the center partition wall of the assembled box to prevent withdrawal of the partition member after the box has been assembled and closed. A web 35, the edges of which denne the bottom surfaces of the recesses br slots 3l and Il, joins the two halves of the partition member in an integral piece. The

' lower edge of the partition member is undercut to provide sloping edges 2G and 31 to conform with the bottom surface of the assembled box. The partition members, like the body member. may be formed from paper board or other suitable material by machine in a single operation.

To assemble the box, the body member is bait downwardly through substantially along the center folding line Il and upwardly through substantially 180 along the folding lines II and I1 adjacent the outer ends of the center set of slots. When the body member is thus folded, the center set of slots extends through the center partition wall, extending downwardly from the vupper edge thereof, and each row of slots is so aligned that the partition members may easily be inserted through them, the length of the slots I2 and Il of the outer sets lsutstmuauy equa to. slightly greater th or-slightly less than the overall height of the tion members 21. Figs. 2and 10 showthebox'atthisstageoftheaembly. If slots slightly shorter than the height of the outer end portions "of the partition members 7 thecenterpartitionwalloftheboxisi'orcedup"j of slots.

the projections i4 which partially close the slots Il of the center set (Fig. 9). At the salme time the unslotted portion of the center partition wall is forced into the recess 33 with which the partition members are provided, thus securely, locking the partition members in their proper position with respect to the body' member. The box at the completion of this stage of the assembly is shown in elevation in Fig. 3, and in perspective in Fig. 11.

In folding the box for packing or shipping, .the

transverse partition members are caused to lie flat against the side walls of the box, and the portion of the body member above the folding Alines 23 and 24 adjacent the outer ends of the outer sets of slots is bent downwardly as shown in elevation in Fig. 4 and in an end view in Fig. 5.

When thus folded, the box is very compact, andy thetransverse partition members are protected from damage by the downwardly folded cover portions of the body member. The box may be maintained in its compact folded condition by any suitable means such, for example, as encircling rubber bands or gummed paper strips attached to and extending between the outer ends of the body member.

When it isv desired to unfold the box for use, the downwardly extending portions of the body member which cover the transverse partition members are grasped, after removal of any means employed for holding the box in acompact folded condition, and the entire body member is opened by pulling outwardly. During this operation, the body member is partially unfolded along the folding lines I8 and 20 adjacent the ends of the center set of slots and is simultaneously and correspondingly folded along the folding lines I6 and l1 adjacent the outer ends of the center set The body member is then forced outwardly along the folding lines 2| and 22 substantially along the center lines of the outer sets of slots (as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 9) whereupon the body member assumes a crosssectional shape substantially as shown yin Fig. 6.

The upwardly extending portions of the side walls are bent inwardly along the folding lines 23 and 2| adjacent the outer ends of the outer sets of slots and are bent downwardly along the folding lines 25 and 26 adjacent the edge portions of the body member to form cover members for the box. The downwardly folded portions of the cover members are received in the recesses extending inwardly from the upper edges of the partition members 21, thus completing the box.

In the assembled box, the lugs 28, 30,3I and 32 with which the partition members are provided adjacent the corners thereof engage the outer surfaces of the side walls of the box as defined by the cover members to prevent the transverse par;- tition members from being dislodged from their proper positions,- and serve to prevent Aextending the body member to too great an extent when it is beingvopened for use from its folded position. The recess 33 extending inwardly from the lower edge of the partition member receives the upwardly extending unslotted portion of the body member and effectively locks the partition mem- Within@ box in. the

bersin place. If an attempt is made to withdraw any of the partition members when the box is thus distended, it will be necessary to tear'- the partition member across the web in order to succeed.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the invention provides a box comprising substantially parallel trough-like members, each of which is divided by the. transverse partition members into a plurality of compartments. While we have shown and described a box comprising two parallel rows of compartments, it is to be understood that boxes embodying the invention may comprise any suitable number of parallel rows of compartments. By suitably designing the proportions of the box, it may be made suitable for packaging various objects such, for example, as eggs and fruit. Since the side wallsbf the box are not firmly held extended along the folding lines 2| and 22 passing substantially along the center line of the outer sets of slots, it follows that the side walls will be resilient to a certain extent, thus cushioning ob. jects which maybe placed within the box. This feature is of special value when the objects to be packaged are fragile, as is the case with eggs.

' The upper edge portions of the longitudinal dividing wall between the partitions are separated.

This arrangement permits movement ofthe inner side wall of 'each compartment relatively to any object contained therein and facilitates removal of such objects by permitting easy insertion of the fingers for the purpose of grasping the object.

Boxes constructed in accordance with the invention present many advantages when compared with boxes of the type heretofore customarily manufactured and employed. The essential components of the box, the body member and the several partition members, may each be formed by Y machine in a single operation. Assembly of the box is easily accomplished and may be performed either manually or by machine. The box when folded is very compact, and large quantities of folded b oxes may be packed in very small spaces. Opening of the folded box for use is an extremely simple operation and may be performed rapidly and substantially without effort. Preferably, the scoring employed in forming the fold lines is of such a. nature that the resiliency of the lcardboard or other material employed in forming the box is not seriously impaired, and the box in its compact, folded condition is in the nature of a spring under compression, tending to expand to its open position upon the release of the means employed for holding it in its compact, folded condition. This tendency, varied according to the width of the webs of the transverse partition members, the flexibility and quality of the material employed in making the box and the thickness of the central parti ion, is increased by properly correlating the width of the slots 33 and 34 in the transverse ch the boxv is constructed. lded position, the transverse partition members pass through four thicknesses of the materialof the body member, so if the slots 33 and 34 therein are of a width somewhat less than four thicknesses of the .material the material from w partition members Witqgrespect to the thickness of y of the body member, the resiliency of the material of the transverse partition members willtend to turn the partition members into their normal open position perpendicular to the plane of the body member. The assembled box is sturdy and provides excellent protection for objects which may be Packed.

I claimz- 1. A folded box of resilient material comprising a body mex nber forming side walls and a center partition having slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through the slots in the side walls and center partition so that approximately one-half of each of the transverse partition members projects beyond each side wall, said transverse partition members being turned substantially into the plane of the body member, and a cover member integrally formed with a side wall and folded downwardly over projecting portions of the transverse partition members to hold them substantially in the plane of the body member, the folded, box being under compressive-strain so that when the strain is removed the transverse partition members tend immediatehr to assume their open position perpendicular to the plane of thel body member.

2. A folded box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side walls and a center partition having slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through the slots of the side walls and center partition interlocked adjacent their mid-portions with the center partition and turned substantially into the plane of the body member, and a cover member formed integrally with the side wall and folded downwardly over the transverse partition members to hold them substantially in the plane of the body member, the body member of the folded box being under a compressive strain such that when the strain is removed the body member will tend partially to unfold and assume'its normal open position.

3. A folded box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side walls and a center partition having slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through the side walls and center partition interlocked adjacent their mid-portions with the center partition and turned substantially into the plane of the body member, the upper edge of said .transverse partition members being cut' in the form of a double convex curve lower adjacent the mid-portions of the transverse partition members than adjacent the side edges thereof and a cover member formed integrally with the side wall and folded downwardly over the transverse partition members to hold them substantially in the plane of the body member, the folded box being under a compressive strain such that when the strain is removed the body member willtend partially to unfold and assume its normal open position the double convex curve of the transverse partition members being such as to aiford minimum resistance to such partial opening of the body member.

4. Ina folding box of the class described, a body member folded to form side walls and a center partition wall and having a plurality of rows of aligned slots in the side walls and center partition, and a transverse partition member of resilient material having slots extending inwardly 1mm the top and bottom edges thereof positioned in each row of .aligned slots.- the width of the slots in the transverse partition member being correlated with res the thickness of the material from which e body member is constructed so that when the verse partition members substantially in the plane o! the body member..the partition members will is folded with the trimstend to assume their normal position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body member.

5. A folded box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side wallsV and a center partition having slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through the slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through the slots in the side Walls and center partition so that approximately one-half ofl each of the transverse partition members projects beyond each side wall, said transverse partition members being turned substantially into the plane of the bodymember, and a cover member integrally formed with each side wall and folded downwardly over the projecting portions of the transverse partition members to hold them substantially in the plane of the body member, the folded box being under compressive strain so that when the strain is removed the transverse partition members tend immediately 4to assume their open position perpendicular to the plane of the body member.

6. A folded box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side walls and a center partition having slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through the slots in the side walls and center partition interlocked adjacent their midportions with the center partition and turned substantially into the plane of the body member, and a cover member formed integrally with a side wall and folded downwardly over the transverse partition members to hold them substantially in the plane of the body member.

7. A folded paper box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side walls and a center partition having slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through said slots and turned substantially into the plane of the body member. said transverse partitions having slots extending inwardly from the top and bottom edges thereof engaging unslotted portions of the center partition to interlock the transverse partition members adjacent their mid-portions with the center partition, and a cover member formed integrally with a side wall and folded downwardly to hold the transverse partition members substantially in the plane of the body member.

8. A folded paper box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side walls and a center partition having aligned slots in the side walls and center partition, transverse partition members extending through said slots so that approximately half of each transverse partition projects beyond each side wail vand turned substantially into the plane of the body member, said transverse partitions having slots extending inwardly from the top and bottom edges thereof engaging unslotted portions of the center partition to interlock the transverse partition members with the center partition, and a cover member formed integrally with each side wall and folded downwardly over the outwardly projecting portions of the transverse partition members to hold the transverse partition members substantially in the plane of the body member. the folded box being( under a compressive strain so that when the strain is removed the box tends immediately to assume an open position ready for instant use.

. 9. A folding box of resilient material comprising a body member forming side walls and a lon- Bitudinal partition and hlm slots in the side tion 4having slots in the side walls and center partition, the slots in the center partition being extended downwardly from the top thereof and being partially closed adjacent the top by lugs, transverse partition members extending through said slots and projecting for substantially their entire width beyond the outer surfaces of the side walls, said transverse partition having recesses extending inwardly from the top and bottom edges thereof. the lower recess engaging an unslotted portion of the center partition and the upper recess engaging the lugs so as substantially to prevent lateral movement of the transverse partition members with respect to the center partition.

11. In the manufacture of a folding box, the improvement which comprises preparing a body member blank having three sets of slots, each slot of each set being aligned with a corresponding slot in each of the other sets of slots, providing a folding line substantially along the center line of the center set of slots and folding the blank downwardly therealong, providing folding lines adjacent the ends of the slots-ofthe center set and foldingv the blank upwardly therealong, providing folding lines adjacent the inner ends of the slots of each outer set, inserting transverse partition members, each havinga centrally disposed recess extending inwardly .from the lower edge thereof, through the aligned slots, and forcing the central portion of the blank upwardly until it is folded through a substantial angle along the folding lines adjacent the inner ends of the slots of the outer sets, thereby to introduce an unslotted part of the central portion of the blank into the centrally disposed recesses in the transverse partition members.

12; In the manufacture of a folding box, the improvement which comprises preparing a body member blank having three sets of slots, each slot of each set being aligned with a corresponding slot in each of the other sets of slots, providing a folding line substantially along the center line of the centerA set of slots and folding the blank downwardly therealong, providing folding lines adjacent the ends of the slots of the center set and folding the blank upwardly therealong. providing folding lines adjacent the inner ends of the slotsof each outer set. inserting transverse partition members, each having a centrally disposed recess not substantially greater in g width than twice the thickness of the material 1,

of which the body member blank is made and extending inwardly from the lower edge thereof, through the aligned slots, and forcing the central portion of the blank upwardly until it is folded through a substantial angle along the folding lines adjacent the inner ends of the slots of the outer sets, thereby to introduce an unslotted part of the central portion of the blank into the centrally disposed recesses in the transverse partition members.

13. A box of the character described comprising a body member forming side walls and-a center partition and having aligned rows of slots in the side walls and center partition, and transverse partition members, Veach having a centrally disposed recess extending inwardly from the lower edge thereof, extending through said slots and projecting for their entire width beyond the outer surfaces of the side walls, unslotted portions of the center partition being engaged in the recesses of the transverse partitions in such manner as to prevent substantial lateral movement of the transverse partition members with` respect to the center partition, and at least a portion of the lower edges of the transverse partition being disposed within the conilnes of the box.

14. In a box of the character described, a body member blank having at least three sets of transversely `arranged slots, an unslotted portion of the blank being disposed between the slots of the center set and the slots of each outer set,va 1ongitudinal folding line extending substantially along the center line of the center set oi slots, longitudinal folding lines disposed adjacent the ends of the slots of the center set, and longitudinal folding lines disposed adjacent the inner ends of the slots of each outer set.

15. In a box of the character described, a body member blank having at least three sets of transversely arranged slots with each slot of each set aligned with a corresponding slot in each of the other sets of slots, an unslotted portion of the blank being disposed between the slots of the center set and the slots of each outer set and an unslotted portion of the blank extending for a substantial distance beyond the outer ends of r the slots of at least one of the outer sets of slots,

`the slotsV of the outer vset beyond which the unslotted portion of the blank extends for a substantial distance.

ARTHUR CORMSER. 

